Free MP3 Of The Day: Bon Iver, “Calgary”

Our friends at MP3.com recently relaunched their site, and to celebrate we’re helping them give away some fantastic new songs for free! Today, we’re featuring “Calgary” from Bon Iver.

Bon Iver, the (self-titled) second album from [lastfm link_type=”artist_info”]Bon Iver[/lastfm], has been eagerly anticipated by fans who were captivated by the band’s stunning debut, For Emma, Forever Ago. Featuring the highlight track “Calgary,” Bon Iver delivers on the potential shown the first time around.

Bon Iver (the group) is centered around indie-folk-rock singer/songwriter Justin Vernon. Bon Iver (the album) manages to simultaneously expand Vernon’s sound with a full backing band, yet also keep intact the qualities that made that first album so intimately special in the first place. For a great example of the new sound, check out lead single “Calgary.”

In 2008 Bon Iver’s debut album For Emma, Forever Ago quickly went from being a cult favorite to one of the most popular albums of the year. The music’s otherworldly feel, along with the oft-referenced creation story of Vernon hiding away for a winter in a remote cabin in Wisconsin, entranced listeners. Hearing the songs, you can’t help but feel a personal connection to Vernon. Each track plays like a voyage through his memories, thoughts, and emotions.

“Calgary” succeeds much in the same way. It’s a ruminating progression of passages and repeated phrases that, instead of a traditional verse/chorus format, takes a more linear approach. Even though it’s difficult to tell exactly what’s going on, by the time you get to the end you’re in a much different place from where you started.